US immigration calls TV star Paul O'Grady 'communist'

August 12 2009 by Rebekah Nahai

Paul O'Grady held up by US immigration

British TV personality and comedian Paul O’Grady was detained by US immigration officials in a Miami airport because they thought he was a ‘Cuban communist’.

Two officers took O’Grady aside for questioning due to his ‘funny’ accent. The questioning turned into a two-hour session during which he was accused of being an ‘illegal alien’ from Cuba.

Officials released the English comedian after examining his passport and confirming he has no affiliation with Cuba.

O’Grady later told UK Radio 2 listeners: “How could I be accused of being an illegal Cuban alien? Do I look Cuban? Do I sound Cuban?”

The experience with US immigration prompted him to describe Miami airport as ‘hell’.

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